As horses don't usually develop cavities in their teeth, Instead dental infections begin at the root of the tooth, these are often preceded by gum infections which lead to abscesses.

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Abscesses are an accumulation of pus made up of dead white blood cells that become walled off in the horses mouth. When the abscess affects the root of the tooth they are known as apical infections, this occurs when there is a bacterial infection located at the apex of a cheek tooth  located in the upper or lower jaw or affects an incisor.

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Often the cheek teeth in the upper jaw become infected and since the roots of these teeth are imbedded in the maxillary sinuses, they cause bacterial sinusitis and a purulent, foul-smelling discharge through the nostril occurs. A fistula or abnormal passage may develop between the oral and nasal cavities, making it necessary to extract the tooth to cure the infection.

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signs of abscesses vary with each case depending on the site and severity. Some horses have a warm painful swelling or a draining tract located in or on the jaw as shown outlined in green on the image to the left.

 

The horse may have bad breath, show a decrease in appetite, and exhibit head tossing or reluctance to be bridled. The horse with a dental problem may be reluctant to take the bit, shake its head when being ridden, or resist training due to discomfort in his mouth.